News
COPE promises to probe SJB accusations over fertiliser imports from China, India
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) would soon initiate a thorough probe into the importation of organic fertiliser from China and Nano Nitrogen from India, its Chairman Prof. Ranjith Bandara told The Island yesterday (11).
The SLPP National List MP said so in response to the query regarding SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha, taking up massive losses suffered by Sri Lanka due to fertiliser imports during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration.
Prof. Bandara said that punitive active measures were needed to be taken against all those responsible, regardless of their standing in the society.Colombo District MP Premadasa said that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government owed an explanation regarding the losses incurred due to fraudulent activities on the part of politicians and officials and action taken against those who have been accused of corruption.
Pointing out that he raised this issue in Parliament last Friday (09), parliamentarian Premadasa questioned the possibility of the government going the whole hog as those involved continued to wield power.
MP Premadasa questioned the basis under which Sri Lanka paid USD 6.9 mn to China for a consignment of rejected organic fertiliser. The former Deputy UNP leader alleged that the government had quite conveniently ignored the recommendations made by the Auditor General in this regard.
The People’s Bank, in early January 2022, paid USD 6.9 million to a Chinese company to settle a longstanding dispute triggered over its fertiliser shipment that was rejected after it was found to be contaminated.
The payment was made after the Colombo Commercial High Court dissolved an order preventing the payment to Qingdao Seawin Biotech for the imported fertiliser.The order was dissolved on the basis that the Chinese company and the Sri Lankan government had reached a settlement on the issue.
The SJB leader said that the Parliament should be informed of the status of the China deal. “I do not want to point finger at China and India as the responsibility of both deals lie with the Sri Lanka,” MP Premadasa said.
A staggering USD 6.9 mn payment was made in the wake of China blacklisting the People’s Bank for following a court directive.Lawmaker Premadasa pointed out that a comprehensive inquiry was needed to unravel the truth. The fertiliser scams couldn’t be investigated without taking into consideration President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ill-fated decision to do away with chemical fertiliser, in May 2021.
MP Premadasa said that nano fertiliser, too, was imported under controversial circumstances. “We paid USD 12.45 for a 500 ml nano liquid fertiliser whereas it was available in India for USD 3.23,” MP Premadasa said. Therefore, Sri Lanka paid Rs 7,841 mn more than the actual price, he said.
MP Vijitha Herath told The Island that he raised this issue in Parliament at that time. Those who had been involved in these deals were named and in fact the CID initiated an inquiry following a complaint received from Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, the then Secretary to the President, lawmaker Herath said.
The CID recorded Dr. Jayasundera’s statement regarding the accusations directed by MP Hearth over nano fertiliser imports, whereas Gamini Senerath, the then Secretary to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, too, in a statement issued to the print media denied any wrongdoing on his part.
Editor of ‘Aruna’ Mahinda Illepperuma told The Island that he was questioned by the CID over the reportage of nano fertiliser imports after the disclosure of a State Bank being pressed to release funds. In spite of much publicised investigation, absolutely nothing happened, Illeperuma said.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
